Manor House Wildlife Park in west Wales, run by TV presenter Anna Ryder Richardson and her husband Colin MacDougall, has been fined £70,000 for health and safety breaches following an incident in August 2010. MacDougall was also fined £4,000 for two identical breaches. The fines were imposed at Swansea Crown Court, with an additional £37,000 in costs ordered.
The incident occurred when a tree bough brought down by strong winds struck three-year-old Gruff Davies-Hughes, causing serious head injuries. He spent three days in intensive care. His mother, Emme Davies-Hughes, also suffered head injuries and fractures to her leg, pelvis, and arm. The pair were visiting the wallaby enclosure at the time.
Judge Paul Thomas criticised MacDougall for failing to close the park until Pembrokeshire County Council issued a safety order, after which five dangerous trees were felled. The judge noted that MacDougall ignored expert advice to address tree risks and conduct risk assessments before opening new areas. He accused MacDougall of 'shopping around to save money' and stated that the defendant 'fell very significantly below the proper standard.' The court allowed the fines to be paid over five years.
Identical charges against Anna Ryder Richardson were withdrawn after MacDougall and the company changed their pleas to guilty. Pembrokeshire Council welcomed the sentence, stating it reflected the park's failure over several years to manage risks to the public and employees.
